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Easington Liberal DemocratsCampaigning for Easington |
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NORTH EAST SHOULD BE EUROPE'S FIRST FAIRTRADE REGION
November 1, 2010 12:00 AM
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP
Originally published by Fiona Hall MEP
The North East should aim to become the first Fairtrade region in Europe, said Fiona Hall MEP today at the inaugural meeting of the County Durham Fairtrade Group.
In a speech on her commitment to Fairtrade in the North East, local Member of the European Parliament Fiona said,
"We have 15 Fairtrade towns in the region already and we should be aiming for more. A lot of hard work has gone into gaining and maintaining Fairtrade status in places like Middlesbrough, Durham, Newcastle and Alnwick. I hope more towns and villages will aim for Fairtrade status and send the message that what we buy can make a real difference to the lives of small producers.
"The North East should aspire to become the first Fairtrade region in Europe. Having the largest local authority signed up in support is a significant step forward."
Fiona also detailed the work she has done on in the European Parliament to help Fairtrade.
She said,
"Earlier this year I acted to ensure that new rules aimed at preventing protectionism didn't work against Fairtrade. It's vital that Fairtrade gets a fair deal and I am happy that our concerns were heeded."
Kathryn Sygrove, Chair of Durham City Fair Trade Partnership which organised the event said,
"The Inaugural Countywide Fairtrade Meeting marks a significant and notable step forward in the North East Fairtrade movement, and I am delighted to be taking part. It is intended as a springboard for creating a much wider network of supporters and campaigners along the length and breadth of County Durham. The longer-term goal is to aim towards Countywide Fairtrade status, and to increase awareness of the unique benefits afforded to producers in developing countries by products certified with the FAIRTRADE Mark. The guarantee that a Fairtrade premium is ploughed back into producer communities offers them the vital chance of working their way towards a better future. "